Les J Parkinson - What's New.
Well, there's always something new, or at least a new way of looking at things, especially putting your views over to other pigeon fanciers. It's not always that easy to put pen to paper but when we walk into the loft, we see things with the pigeons that might vary from the previous time that we were in there. That is often the case, but we don't really notice those little changes, or at least the majority don't. However, we could ask ourselves, why don't we all notice those little changes in the loft, because we don't. In that case who does see those little differences in the loft, the answer being the Winners, those fanciers who keep ahead of the rest, those fanciers who notice everything no matter how small the change might be. I have recently had a couple of fanciers here looking at the pigeons and they were impressed with the pigeons I have, in fact one said if they stay in such good condition they will do well next year. They are wintering well, looking the part, that is until you get them in the hand to find out that they are by far too heavy, mind you they are not racing yet therefore a little weight won't do them any harm. I am aware that many are in the early stages of preparation for the breeding season so they will be checking their weight. The breeding season is something I shall not be doing just yet, my days of having no patience have long since gone. We will not be breeding so many this year because I am using one of what was a young bird section this year for the excess of old hens that I have. Mind you there's still time yet to find another cock or two amongst the 50 or so hens that we have, Ebony's are of course included.
Not to plan
I was very disappointed when I let the cocks out for the first time after having the new traps put in place on the front of the loft. With the exception of 6 the remaining 26 cocks spent the night on the tiles and there was only 1 who went through the new traps, the rest who decided to get in the loft out of the cold went in through the loft door that I left open. I spent most of the following day trying to get them into the loft but 12 spent a second night on the tiles. The problem was I couldn't wait much longer because I needed to get them freely entering through the new traps in preparation for the racing season. You might be thinking racing is a good way away but in reality, it isn't because there is so much to do in our lofts at this time of the year, breeding being the main priority.
Middlewich 5B
AGM held at the Boars Head Hotel that saw Secretary Lesley Moss and Chairman Robert Carson see the over and done with in less than 10mins, that's the way to have meetings showing that the members are happy with the way the club is run. The officials are President Dave Pritchard. Chairman Robert Carson. Secretary/Treasurer Lesley Moss. Fed delegates Peter Latham & Billy Wilson. RPRA delegate Peter Latham. There were no propositions. There was an ordinary meeting after the AGM which saw 6 new members applying from Crewe clubs, which is good for the 5B but not for the clubs where those members are coming from in a world where all clubs are suffering with membership. Rita O'Hare has donated £00 to be put to good use in memory of the late Mike O'Hare. Final details will be sorted shortly with money towards the new marking shed and some to prize money. Phil Buckton has donated £40 with Elimar raising £3,200. Mark Smith is looking at options for the shed, not sure who is building it yet but no doubt there will have been discussions at the Blackpool Show. As an added interest the members decided to have a breeder exchange, so all is good with the club.
Transport.
There have been a few discussions over the transport of pigeons for the 2026 season, who is taking who's. The discussions are surrounding the Mid Cheshire Fed, South West Cheshire Fed and the Wrekin Fed have resulted in them joining together and having one liberation for the old birds and the first 4 young bird races seeing the 3 feds having separate liberations. Glad I am no longer involved in the official side of the sport because getting the organizations to agree is not always easy, however they do appear to have sorted out what looks like a good move for racing in this area. The one benefit is they are racing from roughly the same distances with the longer flying clubs having left the Mid Cheshire Fed. There was talk of trying to get on Armstrong's transporters but to get the pigeons to the race points in good time there would have to be central marking, and I cannot see that happening.
Treatments `
Year after year the same question comes up, should we or should we not treat our birds without having them tested, a question that hangs over us all at some time or another. We always have a debate with ourselves as to whether we should treat our birds, it's okay treating them if you know what you are doing. The problem now is the veterinary charges are so high that most pigeon fanciers are not inclined to spend too much checking their birds out.
Race program.
It has caused a few texts to go flying around, everyone has their idea of where we should start racing from for both young and old birds. The problem being the cost and how many birds are entered in the races, but we must be realistic these days with a shortage of channel races up here in the northwest. I suppose at the shorter end of the northwest a lot will be reliant on how many members decide to join the newly formed Five Counties Continental Club. The only downfall being one marking station when the club would benefit with North and south marking stations which I can't see happening, we can live in hope. I suppose the problem is they need another vet and the paperwork sorting and I believe that is not easy.
Photo
As you can see the changes I have made to the lofts are a big change from the outside and at this early stage, they do not like them at all.
All the best for the New Year to everyone.
Les J Parkinson.
15 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ.
Tel: 01606 836036. Mob: +44 (0)7871 701585.
E-mail:
Web site: http://www.elimarpigeons.com
